Samsung announces 5G mobile technology

Samsung has developed the first adaptive array transceiver technology in the world, capable of introducing 5G mobile networks hundreds of times faster than 4G.

The next-generation of 4G LTE networks, 5G technology is being developed by Samsung Electronics in the cellular communications millimetre-wave Ka bands.

“The millimetre-wave band is the most effective solution to recent surges in wireless internet usage,” said ChangYeong Kim, Samsung’s Executive Vice President and Head of the Digital Media and Communication R&D Centre. “Samsung’s recent success in developing the adaptive array transceiver technology has brought us one step closer to the commercialisation of 5G mobile communications in the millimetre-wave bands.”

Originally, millimetre-wave bands had been thought to provide too many limitations for mobile networks. Such a high-speed connection as that offered with 5G requires a broad band of frequencies, which Samsung says is “much like [how] an increased water flow requires a wider pipe.”

Samsung’s new “adaptive array transceiver technology” is capable of transmitting data in the millimetre-wave band at frequencies of 28GHz at speeds up to 1.056GBps to distances up to 2km.

The South Korean company plans to accelerate the research into 5G mobile technologies with the aim to commercialise the connection by 2020.

When it comes to market, Samsung’s technology will enable users to access ultra-high-speed data services that are “several hundred times faster than even the 4G LTE-Advanced technology”, due to launch in the UK later this year.

Users will be able to download an entire film to their tablets and smartphones in under a second on a 5G connection, enjoy other services like 3D movies and games, ultra-HD content and “remote media services” on the go “practically without limitation” say Samsung.

In February 2012, the Chinese government established an “IMT-2020 (5G) Promotion Group” for 5G technology research. The European Commission also plans to invest €50 million (£42.2 million) this year on 5G research and, like Samsung, plans to bring the ultra-high-speed mobile internet connection to the commercial market by 2020. Find out what we thought of the 4G internet connection in our EE 4G: First impressions feature.